Cleaning device for fiber optic connectors

ABSTRACT

A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors that includes a cleaning head, a cleaning fluid reservoir for holding cleaning fluid, a pressurization source and a switching mechanism. The cleaning head has a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage. The switching mechanism has at least a first position and a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such the cleaning fluid is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray. In the second position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States of America for governmental purposeswithout payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a cleaning device for fiber opticconnectors. More specifically, but without limitation, the presentinvention relates a hand held cleaning device for fiber opticconnectors, that is self contained and does not require an externalpower source.

Currently there are suitcase sized automated cleaning devices for fiberoptic connectors. These cleaning devices are typically powered by anexternal power source such as an electrical source of 110 volts (60cycle). These cleaning devices are designed as laboratory ormanufacturing floor units and cannot be easily moved. Alternatively, thecleaning devices can be powered by compressed gas cylinders, which arecumbersome and difficult to transport.

Thus, there is a need for a hand held cleaning device for fiber opticconnectors.

SUMMARY

It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiberoptic connectors that includes a cleaning head, a cleaning fluidreservoir for holding cleaning fluid, a pressurization source and aswitching mechanism. The cleaning head has a cleaning fluid passage anda vacuum passage. The switching mechanism has at least a first positionand a second position. In the first position, the switching mechanisminitiates the pressurization source such the cleaning fluid ispressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoirand enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exitsthe cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray. In thesecond position, the switching mechanism initiates the pressurizationsource such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into thevacuum passage.

It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiberoptic connectors that is portable and is able to be moved easily.

It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiberoptic connectors that is capable of chemically and/or mechanicallycleaning a fiber optic connector.

It is a further feature of the invention to provide a device forapplication of a surface treatment (i.e. coating).

It is a feature of the invention to provide a cleaning device for fiberoptic connectors that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims, and accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an internal side view of an embodiment of the cleaning devicefor fiber optic connectors;

FIG. 2 is a side internal view of an embodiment of the cleaning head;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the cleaningdevice for fiber optic connectors; and,

FIG. 4 is a flow chart depicting the operation of an embodiment of thecleaning device for fiber optic connectors.

DESCRIPTION

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by wayof example below and in FIGS. 1-4. As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaningdevice for fiber optic connectors 1 includes a cleaning head 100, acleaning fluid reservoir 200 for holding cleaning fluid 210 (thecleaning fluid 210 may be, but without limitation, a cleaning solvent, apolish, a surface treatment, or any type of cleaner), a pressurizationsource 300 and a switching mechanism 400. As seen in FIG. 2, thecleaning head 100 has a cleaning fluid passage 105 and a vacuum passage110. The switching mechanism 400 has at least a first position and asecond position. In the first position, the switching mechanism 400initiates the pressurization source 300 such the cleaning fluid 210 inthe cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is pressurized and the cleaning fluid210 leaves the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 and enters the cleaning head100 via the cleaning fluid passage 105 and exits the cleaning head 100via the cleaning fluid passage 105 as a spray. In the second position,the switching mechanism 400 initiates the pressurization source 300 suchthat ambient air and expended cleaning fluid 210 (specifically expendedcleaning fluid 210 that is on or near the fiber optic connector beingcleaned) is drawn into the vacuum passage 110. Optionally, the vacuumpassage 110 can lead directly to a waste reservoir 250, or as shown inFIG. 1, the vacuum passage 100 may lead to a vacuum line 251 that leadsto the switching mechanism 400 and then to the waste reservoir 250. Inother embodiments of the invention, any waste fluid/contaminants mayenter the waste reservoir 250 directly or indirectly via the switchingmechanism 400 and/or additional plumbing.

In the discussion of the present invention, the invention will bediscussed in a fiber optic connector environment; however, thisinvention can be utilized for any type of need that requires use of acleaning mechanism, such as, but without limitation, precision cleaningor coating application.

As seen in FIG. 1, the cleaning device for fiber optic connectors 1 mayalso include a housing 50. The housing 50 is preferably constructed of alightweight, plastic material such as a vinyl resin or polyethylene, orany other lightweight plastic material. The cleaning fluid reservoir200, the switching mechanism 400 and any additional components may bedisposed within the housing 50. A supply line 75 may allow fluidcommunication between the switching mechanism 400 and the pressurizationsource 300. The supply line 75 may be a flexible tube or the like.

The cleaning head 100 (particularly the cleaning fluid passage 105) andthe cleaning fluid reservoir 200 are flowably connected or in fluidcommunication via a reservoir tube 215. The cleaning head 100 isattached to the outside of the housing 50. As shown in FIG. 1, in one ofthe embodiments of the invention, the reservoir tube 215 may flow fromthe cleaning fluid reservoir 200 into and through the switchingmechanism 400 prior to communicating with the cleaning head 100.

In operation, when the switching mechanism 400 is in the first position(or position 1), pressurized gas 60 is supplied to the cleaning device1, particularly to the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, via the supply line75. In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressurized gas60 exits the pressurization source 300, and then enters the switchingmechanism 400 via the supply line 75. The switching mechanism 400controls the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluid reservoir200. Pressurized gas 60 flows from the switching mechanism 400 to thecleaning fluid reservoir 200 via a reservoir supply line 76.

Generally, pressurized gas 60 is provided in the form of standardcommercially available CO₂, dry nitrogen, air cartridges, or any othermanner practicable. The pressurization source 300 may also be, butwithout limitation, filtered air cans, dry filtered carbon dioxide ornitrogen cylinders or micropumps. The pressurization source 300 may bedisposed within the housing 50 (not shown) or disposed outside thehousing 50 (shown in FIG. 1). Preferably, if the pressurization source300 is disposed outside the housing 50, the cleaning head 100 and thesupply line 75 are disposed at opposite sides of the housing 50.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaning fluid 210 is pressurized (theswitching mechanism 400 is in the first position or position 1), thecleaning fluid 210 flows from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, throughthe reservoir tube 215, through the cleaning fluid passage 105, and outthe cleaning fluid passage 105 as a spray. This spray can then bedirected towards and applied to a fiber optic connector. FIG. 3 showsanother embodiment of the invention, whereby, the cleaning fluid 210passes through the switching mechanism 400 prior to entering thecleaning fluid passage 105.

The cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is disposed within housing 50 of theportable cleaning device 1. The cleaning fluid reservoir 200 is fillableand resealable by a standard screw mechanism or quick disconnect (notshown), so that the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 can be easily refilledwith cleaning fluid 210, and then resealed. The screw mechanism or quickdisconnect must be capable of sealing securely such that the cleaningfluid reservoir 200 can store the cleaning fluid 210 therein underpressure. In another embodiment, the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 may bereplaceable, and/or disposed outside the housing 50.

The cleaning fluid reservoir 200, the supply line 75, the reservoir tube215 and any piping or plumbing connecting the components are made frommaterials which are compatible with the cleaning fluid 210 andpressurized gas 60.

The switching mechanism 400 controls the flow of pressurized gas 60 usedto push cleaning fluid 210 from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200 to thecleaning head 100. In the preferred embodiment, the switching mechanism400 includes a valve 405 and a Venturi nozzle 410. As shown in FIG. 4(another embodiment shown in FIG. 3), when the switching mechanism is inthe second position (or position 2), the Venturi nozzle 410 produces avacuum utilizing the Bernoulli Effect. The vacuum then draws in expendedcleaning fluid (from an area near or at the fiber optic connector) viathe vacuum passage 110, then via the vacuum line 251 to the wastereservoir 250 (as shown in FIG. 1, in one of the embodiments theexpended cleaning fluid may pass through the switching mechanism 400prior to entering the waste reservoir 250). The valve 405 controls flowof pressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle 410 and to the cleaningfluid reservoir 200. The first position (or position 1) of the switchingmechanism 400 allows flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluidreservoir 200, while the second position (or position 2) allows flow ofpressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle 410. A control device 500 maybe electrically connected to and activates the switching mechanism 400,particularly the valve 405, to control the flow of pressurized gas 60 tothe cleaning fluid reservoir 200 or to the Venturi nozzle 410. Theswitching mechanism 400, the control device 500 and the pressurizationsource 300 are electrically connected and all in electricalcommunication with other.

The control device 500 preferably includes a power source, such as abattery 505, and electronics 510, such as an electrical timer 511. Theelectronic timer 511 is electrically connected to the valve 405 of theswitching mechanism 400, and sends an electrical signal to the valve 405to control the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaning fluidreservoir 200 or the Venturi nozzle 410 for predetermined periods oftime.

Preferably, the control device 500 controls (via the valve 405) the flowof cleaning fluid 210 from the cleaning fluid reservoir 200, so as tofurnish cleaning fluid 210 or solvent to the cleaning head 100 for abouta five-second interval (in the first position of the switching mechanism400), then switches the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the Venturi nozzle410 to create a vacuum for about five seconds (in the second position ofthe switching mechanism 400), or for a period sufficient to vacuum upand remove cleaning fluid 210 or solvent and contaminants from the fiberoptic connector being cleaned. Thereafter, the control device 500 (viathe valve 405) shuts off the flow of pressurized gas 60 to the cleaningdevice 1 and resets for another cleaning cycle.

The switching mechanism 400 can be either electrically or mechanicallycontrolled.

Mechanical means can be broken down into manual or automatic. Apreferred mechanical option includes a conventional multi-positionswitch actuator 450, as shown in FIG. 1. The actuator 450 allows a userto change the switching mechanism 400 from the first position to thesecond position. In another embodiment of the invention, the switchingmechanism 400 may include a third position, an off position, which turnsthe cleaning device 1 off.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, in operation, once theswitch or actuator 450 (e.g. a trigger or button) is depressed or put inthe first position, cleaning fluid 210 (or solvent) and pressurized gas60 are supplied to the cleaning head 100 for a predetermined amount oftime by releasing cleaning fluid 210 or solvent and sending compressedor pressurized gas 60 through the cleaning fluid reservoir 200. As theswitch or actuator 450 is further depressed or put in the secondposition, the supply of the cleaning fluid 210 is switched off, and thesupply of pressurized gas 60 is switched to the Venturi nozzle 410, sothat the vacuum remains on for a pre-determined amount of time. Afterthe cleaning fluid 210 is vacuumed up, the switch or actuator 450 isturned off and reset for the next utilization.

In a manual configuration, switching from position to position ispreferably controlled by the operator. In a manual configuration of theswitching mechanism 400, cleaning of fiber optic connector alignment pinholes, which may eventually accumulate enough contamination to requirecleaning, is possible. In another embodiment of the switching mechanism400, a simple, small electronic pneumatic switch may be utilized, so asto enable control of the flow of pressurized gas 60.

The cleaning head 100 may be designed to fit into a hole in a femaleconnector and/or be adapted to fit into a recess in a female fiber opticconnector. In an embodiment of the invention, the cleaning device 1 mayinclude an adaptor 150 for a male cleaning head. The adapter 150 may beremovable and include a first end 151 and a second end 152. As seen inFIG. 1, the first end 151 of the adapter 150 may be attachable to thecleaning head 100, and the second end 152 fits over (or is attachableto) and on top of a pin of a male fiber optic connector (not shown) thusallowing for hermaphroditic cleaning. The cleaning device I may includea number of different adapter types so that different connector typesmay be cleaned.

The cleaning device 1 may also include a safety interlock. A safetyinterlock, may be defined, but without limitation, as a mechanism thatprevents accidental spraying. The safety interlock could be, but withoutlimitation, a cover, a lock or a trigger grip which requires areasonable amount of force to allow spraying.

By proper selection of the cleaning fluid 210 or solvent, theanticipated contaminating materials on the fiber optic connector can bedissolved, as well as the standard foreign particulates removed, both ofwhich can prevent contact or block light transmitted within the fiberoptic connector. The preferred embodiment of the cleaning fluid 210 is acleaner or solvent that will easily evaporate. A number offormulated/engineered cleaning fluids or solutions exist which dissolveboth petrochemical based contaminants as well as water based foreignmaterial such as salt from salt spray. Additionally, these cleaningfluids are preferably selected to present a limited health hazard aswell as being environmentally friendly.

A particulate may be added to the cleaning fluid 210. The particulatemay be a polishing compound, and which help remove hard to removecontaminants. The contaminates are mechanically dislodged by theparticulate(s) so that the cleaning fluid can then remove them. Theparticulate may also be a specifically designed nano-particle; thenano-particle is delivered to the surface so that it attaches itself tothe connector end face providing improved connector performance such aspreventing contaminants from attaching to the surface.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” areintended to mean there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detailwith reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, otherembodiments are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of theappended claims should not be limited to the description of thepreferred embodiment(s) contained herein.

1. A cleaning device, comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning headhaving a cleaning fluid passage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluidreservoir for holding cleaning fluid; and a switching mechanism, theswitching mechanism having at least a first position and a secondposition, in the first position the switching mechanism initiatespressurized gas such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid reservoir ispressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaning fluid reservoirand enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage and exitsthe cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as a spray, in thesecond position the switching mechanism initiates pressurized gas suchthat air and expended cleaning fluid is drawn into the vacuum passage.2. The cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the switching mechanismincludes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divertpressurized gas flow to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturinozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum inthe vacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluidand contaminants from the fiber optic connectors.
 3. A cleaning device,comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluidpassage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluid reservoir for holdingcleaning fluid; a pressurization source; and a switching mechanism, theswitching mechanism having at least a first position and a secondposition, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates thepressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluidreservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaningfluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluidpassage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as aspray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates thepressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawninto the vacuum passage.
 4. The cleaning device of claim 3, wherein theswitching mechanism includes a Venturi nozzle and a valve, the valveable to divert pressurized gas flow to either the cleaning fluidreservoir or to the Venturi nozzle, the Venturi nozzle when pressurizedable to create a vacuum in the vacuum passage to allow vacuuming up andremoval of cleaning fluid and contaminants from the fiber opticconnectors.
 5. The cleaning device of claim 4, wherein the cleaningdevice further includes a control device, the control device activatesthe valve to control flow of pressurized gas to the cleaning fluidreservoir or to the Venturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time.6. The cleaning device of claim 5, wherein the cleaning device furtherincludes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user tochange the switching mechanism from the first position to the secondposition.
 7. The cleaning device of claim 3, wherein the switchingmechanism includes a third position, the third position being an offposition.
 8. The cleaning device of claim 7, wherein the cleaning devicefurther includes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing theuser to change the switching mechanism to the first position, the secondposition or the third position.
 9. The cleaning device of claim 8,wherein the cleaning device further includes an adapter, the adapterattachable to the cleaning head such that other types of fiber opticconnectors may be cleaned.
 10. The cleaning device of claim 9, whereinthe cleaning device further includes a waste reservoir for storingexpended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidly communicating withthe vacuum passage such that the drawn in expended cleaning fluid can bestored in the waste reservoir.
 11. The cleaning device of claim 10,wherein the cleaning device further including a housing, the cleaningfluid reservoir, the switching mechanism and the control device disposedwithin the housing.
 12. A cleaning device for fiber optic connectors,comprising: a cleaning head, the cleaning head having a cleaning fluidpassage and a vacuum passage; a cleaning fluid reservoir for holdingcleaning fluid; a pressurization source; a switching mechanism, theswitching mechanism having at least a first position and a secondposition, in the first position the switching mechanism initiates thepressurization source such cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluidreservoir is pressurized and the cleaning fluid leaves the cleaningfluid reservoir and enters the cleaning head via the cleaning fluidpassage and exits the cleaning head via the cleaning fluid passage as aspray, in the second position the switching mechanism initiates thepressurization source such that air and expended cleaning fluid is drawninto the vacuum passage, the switching mechanism further including aVenturi nozzle and a valve, the valve able to divert pressurized gasflow to either the cleaning fluid reservoir or to the Venturi nozzle,the Venturi nozzle when pressurized able to create a vacuum in thevacuum passage to enable vacuuming up and removal of cleaning fluid andcontaminants from the fiber optic connectors; a control device, thecontrol device activates the valve to control flow of pressurized gasfrom the pressurization source to the cleaning fluid reservoir or to theVenturi nozzle for a pre-determined amount of time; a waste reservoirfor storing expended cleaning fluid, the waste reservoir fluidlycommunicating with the vacuum passage such that the drawn in expendedcleaning fluid can be stored in the waste reservoir; a housing, thehousing, the cleaning fluid reservoir, the switching mechanism, thecontrol device and the waste reservoir disposed within the housing. 13.The cleaning device of claim 12, wherein the cleaning device furtherincludes an adapter, the adapter attachable to the cleaning head suchthat a male fiber optic connector may be cleaned.
 14. The cleaningdevice of claim 13, wherein the cleaning device further includes amulti-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user to change theswitching mechanism from the first position to the second position. 15.The cleaning device of claim 13, wherein the switching mechanismincludes a third position, the third position being an off position. 16.The cleaning device of claim 15, wherein the cleaning device furtherincludes a multi-position actuator, the actuator allowing the user tochange the switching mechanism to the first position, the secondposition or the third position.